chronic kidney disease

A slow, long-term loss of kidney function. Diabetes and hypertensionhypertensionhy-per-TEN-shunBlood pressure that stays higher than normal, at or above 130/80 mm Hg by current US guidelines.hyper- above, more than normaltension pressureFull entry Close are the most common causes. It is staged by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of how well the kidneys filter, and the final stage is kidney failure, when dialysisdialysisdy-AL-ih-sisA treatment that removes wastes and extra fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it.dia- through, apart-lysis separation, looseningFull entry Close or a transplant is needed. As the kidneys fail, fluid, potassiumpotassiumpuh-TAS-ee-umA mineral in the blood that nerves and muscles, including the heart, need in order to work.Full entry Close and waste products such as creatininecreatininekree-AT-uh-neenA waste product of muscle that the kidneys remove from the blood; its blood level is used to measure how well the kidneys work.Full entry Close and ureablood urea nitrogenblud yoo-REE-uh NY-truh-jenA blood test that measures urea nitrogen, a waste product made when the body breaks down protein.Full entry Close build up, and anemiaanemiauh-NEE-mee-uhA lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood.a- without, lacking-emia blood conditionFull entry Close is common.

Monitor weight, blood pressure, intake and outputintake and outputIN-tayk and OWT-putThe measured record of all fluids a client takes in and all fluids that leave the body over a set time.Full entry Close, potassium and other lab values. Teach the diet ordered, often limited in sodium, potassium, phosphorus and fluid. Many drugs are cleared by the kidneys, so check doses and avoid NSAIDs unless prescribed. Protect the arm with a dialysis access: no blood pressures or blood draws on it.

"CKD stage 4, GFR 22; potassium 5.6 mEq/L; on fluid restriction 1.5 L/day."